道化(どうけ)

どうけ
noun
clown; buffoon; comic antics
personleisure
1. clown; buffoon; jester
A person who acts foolishly or comically to entertain others. Can refer to a professional entertainer or someone behaving in a clownish manner.
彼(かれ)はクラスの道化(どうけ)だ。
He is the class clown.
王様(おうさま)の前(まえ)で道化(どうけ)が芸(げい)を見(み)せた。
The jester performed in front of the king.
いつも道化(どうけ)を演(えん)じていた彼(かれ)が、突然(とつぜん)真剣(しんけん)な顔(かお)になった。
He always played the clown, but suddenly his expression turned serious.
2. clowning; comic antics; buffoonery
The act of behaving comically or playing the fool for amusement.
いつも道化(どうけ)を演(えん)じていた彼(かれ)が、突然(とつぜん)真剣(しんけん)な顔(かお)になった。
He always played the clown, but suddenly his expression turned serious.
道化(どうけ)を演(えん)じる。
To play the fool.
彼女(かのじょ)の道化(どうけ)ぶりに皆(みな)が笑(わら)った。
Everyone laughed at her clowning.
場(ば)の空気(くうき)を和(やわ)らげようと道化(どうけ)を演(えん)じたが、誰(だれ)も笑(わら)わなかった。
I played the fool to lighten the mood, but no one laughed.

Usage

道化(どうけ) can refer either to a person (clown, jester) or to the act of clowning. The compound 道化師(どうけし) specifically means a professional clown or jester.

Common collocations

Cultural note

In traditional Japanese performing arts, comic roles have a long history. 道化(どうけ) is sometimes used to describe the comedic servant characters in 狂言(きょうげん) plays.

Related Words

Related: ピエロ (clown)
general
Added 2026.3.1 18:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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